The Hazards of a National Geographic Photographer...

Reality Check

This page is dedicated to Wes Skiles who died doing the work he loved. Sadie Quarrier, senior photo editor, National Geographic Magazine says:   “I was lucky enough to work with Wes as his photo editor on (his) “Bahamas Blue Holes” story for NGM. He was deeply passionate about diving, exploring, photographing and protecting the waterways… Wes was big-hearted and humble yet extremely driven. He was doggedly determined to produce the best possible article on these caves he called home. He dared to dream big, and no budget or contract would stop him from going after a shot he felt we needed, even if it was on his own dime…”

There have been other deaths over the years and many serious injuries. The posts below are recent survey responses from 45 photographers about some of the hazards encountered while on assignment for the National Geographic Society. The numbers represent individual incidents.

It's a Glamorous Life

  • 12

    Falls

  • 1

    Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

  • 1

    Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

  • 3

    Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

  • 1

    Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

  • 1

    Meningitis

  • 3

    Beaten

  • 1

    Punched in Face

  • 4

    Tear Gassed

  • 2

    Stoned by Religious Group

  • 1

    Spitting Cobra Attacks

  • 1

    Chased by Crocodile

  • 21

    Threatened / Detained / Abducted

  • 2

    Held at Gunpoint

  • 1

    Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

  • 5

    Malaria

  • 12

    Severe Insect Problems

  • 1

    Flesh Eating Parasites

  • 33

    Arrest or House Arrest

  • 1

    Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

  • 21

    Paraglider Crash

  • 1

    Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

  • 9

    Venomous Bites

  • 1

    Temporary Blindness

  • 1

    Penis Fish

  • 1

    Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

  • 1

    Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

  • 13

    Robbed

  • 90

    Severe Diarrhea

  • 7

    Dislocations

  • 3

    Imprisoned

  • 1

    Lost at Sea

  • 1

    Stabbed

  • 29

    Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

  • 1

    Strongyloide Invasion

  • 1

    Scaffolding Collapse

  • 2

    Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

  • 2

    Assault by Florida panther. 2 photographers, 2 assignments, same panther.

  • 1

    Viper in Camera Bag

  • 6

    Random Assault

  • 8

    Giardia

  • 8

    Assorted Animal Attacks

  • 3

    Extreme Toxins

  • 30

    Wound Infection

  • 4

    Broken Bones

  • 1

    Dengue Fever

  • 9

    Hypothermia

  • 20

    Amoebic Dysentery

  • 1

    Diagnosed PTSD

  • 1

    Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

  • 1

    Held at Knifepoint

  • 1

    Acid Dripping Caves

  • 9

    Groped

  • 19

    Severe Dehydration

  • 13

    Run Checkpoint

  • 4

    Burns

  • 5

    Plane or Helicopter Crash

  • 16

    Various Parasites

  • 7

    Car or Bus Crash